Translation guide
The English word 'slipping' can refer to losing physical traction, making a mistake, declining in quality, or moving quietly. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To slide unintentionally on a surface, often losing balance.
General verb for slipping or sliding on a surface. Can be used for feet, tires, etc.
I almost fell because the floor was slippery.
Cars slip easily on rainy days.
Also used for slipping on ice or wet surfaces. Often combined with 転ぶ (to fall).
I slipped and fell on the icy road.
Literally 'to make one's foot slip'. Emphasizes losing footing, often leading to a fall.
I slipped on the stairs and fell.
Loanword from English, used for slipping of vehicles or in technical contexts.
The tires slipped and I lost control.
To make a small mistake, often in speech, memory, or action.
General phrase for making a mistake. Common in casual and business contexts.
I made a small mistake at work.
A careless mistake or slip. Often used for absent-minded errors.
To make a slip of the tongue, say something incorrectly.
I was nervous and slipped up on the name.
To have a memory slip, to draw a blank. Used when you temporarily forget something.
I had a slip of memory and forgot his phone number.
To gradually become worse in quality, performance, or condition.
To drop, fall, decline. Used for slipping grades, performance, or quality.
My grades have been slipping lately.
Sales have been slipping.
To decline, drop. More formal than 落ちる, used for statistics, ability, etc.
My concentration is slipping.
To weaken, decline (e.g., physical strength, skill). Implies a gradual loss.
To go somewhere quietly or without being noticed.
To slip out quietly, sneak away. Common for leaving a place unnoticed.
I slipped out during the meeting.
To slip into a place stealthily, sneak in.
To slip into (a place) just in time, often used for catching a train or making an appointment.
Using 滑る for a mistake (like a slip of the tongue) is not natural. Use ミス or specific phrases like 言い間違える.
落ちる is more casual and common in speech. 低下する is formal and often used in writing or reports.
I made a careless slip and got the documents wrong.
As you get older, your physical strength slips.
I slipped into the house at night.
I slipped onto the train just in time.